Lockable armrest

Abstract

A lockable armrest includes a main body. The lockable armrest also includes a latch assembly operatively coupled to the main body. The latch assembly includes a latch coupled to the main body with a spring resisting movement of the latch during acceleration events below a predetermined acceleration threshold. The latch assembly also includes a locking member operatively coupled to the main body, the latch moveable into engagement with the locking member in response to an acceleration event greater than the predetermined acceleration threshold to lock the lockable armrest in a stowed condition.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed: 
     
       1. A lockable armrest disposed in a vehicle, the lockable armrest comprising:
 a main body; and 
 a latch assembly operatively coupled to the main body, the latch assembly comprising:
 an inertia latch coupled to the main body with a spring resisting rotational movement of the inertia latch during acceleration events below a predetermined acceleration threshold in response to deceleration of the vehicle; and 
 a locking member operatively coupled to the main body, the inertia latch moveable into engagement with the locking member in response to an acceleration event greater than the predetermined acceleration threshold in response to deceleration of the vehicle to lock the lockable armrest in a stowed condition, the inertia latch spring biased to be disengaged from the locking member. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The lockable armrest of  claim 1 , further comprising a detent arrangement comprising at least one detent configured to resist movement of the lockable armrest. 
     
     
       3. The lockable armrest of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one detent comprises a first detent and a second detent, each of the detents having a hook portion engaged with pivoting portions of the lockable armrest to resist movement. 
     
     
       4. The lockable armrest of  claim 1 , wherein the inertia latch is engageable with the locking member within 15 degrees of rotation from the stowed position of the lockable armrest. 
     
     
       5. The lockable armrest of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined acceleration threshold is greater than 4.0 times the acceleration of Earth's gravity. 
     
     
       6. The lockable armrest of  claim 1 , wherein the lockable armrest is disposed in a second or third row of the vehicle.